Full face masks for 18 cm pressure?

[sine nomine]

Help?

I've been on a CPAP for four years now. My sleep study was interrupted about 99 minutes in after my O2 sat dropped to 47 and they decided to put me on an APAP right then. I slept 40 minutes before the intervention with 169 apneas (AHI 253.5). I've got a REMStar CPAP with a heated humidifer and my pressure is 18 cm. I'm too much of a mouth-breather for a nasal mask, and I'm also an incorrigible side-sleeper.

I haven't looked for a mask since about the time the Hybrid came out (though I was given a Liberty shortly after that by my DME). I really really need a decent mask that can handle the pressure without being strapped down so tightly it's ridiculous.

I'm currently using an F&P 431HC and not only does it leave deep red lines, it's irritating the skin beside my nose and causing breakouts every now and again.

I absolutely hated the Ultra Mirage and the ComfortFull.

The Hybrid was okayish but it was hard to get a decent seal around the nasal pillows and it made my nostrils hurt badly after a few nights. I seriously considered sealing the holes for the nasal pillows and finding a way to pinch my nose shut. The projecting bit that holds the clips snapped on my Hybrid as well.

The Liberty was a disaster. It leaked horribly and hurt my nose even more than the Hybrid did. I hadn't thought I could hate a mask more than I did the Ultra Mirage and the ComfortFull, but life is full of surprises.

Does anyone have recommendations for a full-face mask that won't have to be strapped down so hard my face is squished badly in the morning, won't leak horribly, won't cause breakouts, and won't hurt my nose? I have a feeling that I'm asking for too much here, but maybe thigns have gotten better since the last time I looked.

Thanks.

[WearyOne]

Hi, sine nomine, and welcome!

My husband just picked up his machine and mask yesterday. He had 47% desat as well, and AHI of 109, and a pressure of 19. He used a Quattro in the sleep study, and that's what he took home with him. He's out of town right down and wont' be trying any of this until he gets back Sunday night, so I don't know how this mask will work for him. He really wants to try my extra Liberty, though, so he can keep his glasses on to watch TV! I use the Hybrid and really like it, but the Liberty doesn't work well for me at all.

Wish I could be of more help, but hopefully others in your situation will be by soon with some great advice for you! I can't imagine a pressure of 18.

Pam

[mdbarthe]

Hello, sine nomine,

I don't know if this will work for you, but.......I have been using the Mirage Quattro full face mask for over a year now. My average pressure is 13. I tried three other masks and had leak problems with all of them over the previous year, but I have finally mastered the Quattro and I am very comfortable with it.

I've been through the red indentation, sore nose bridge stage with the Quattro, too. In fact, I never had a mask that didn't leave me with mask "tracks". I tried getting the proper combination between headgear tightening and forehead dial setting to obtain a good seal on the Quattro for a couple of months. The only way I finally got a good seal was by tightening the headgear and leaving the forehead dial setting at around 9-12. I used a flexible bandaid across the bridge of my nose for a month or so to cushion it from the "bite" and then I finally just went without the bandaid. I still have a red indentation and a sore nose bridge for an hour or two every morning and it takes about the same amount of time for the headgear strap marks on the back of my neck to fade out. BUT....................I have very low leakage throughout the night (0.0 to 0.06 L/s)

I just ordered a forehead and nose pad as well as high neck pads from Padacheek to see if that will help with my nose and neck. I've read good reviews about them in this forum from time-to-time. The latex forehead pad will leave me with a rash on the forehead in the mornings, so I hope the Padacheek will keep me from having to put a bandage on my forehead underneath the mask every night.

Hope this helps, but there are no guarantees and from what I have read on the forum for a month or so is that everyone has something different that works for them and there is a lot of personal modifications out there on masks. Good luck!!

[SleepyDragon]

I use a Liberty with a pressure of 19. It was quite a challenge, but I eventually got it to work. To keep it from hurting your nose, make sure to use the small mouth cushion and keep it low over your mouth (down toward your chin). I had the same problem as you when I was using the large cushion, the nasal pilows were pushing too hard into my nares. I now use the small coushion and have a lot less leaking with it as well.

To keep the nasal pillows from popping out of your nose put some medical tape over them. There are also some posts on this forum showing how to use panty hose or stockings to hold them in place.

I know the Liberty doesn't work for everyone, but it works pretty well for me.

[Gerryk]

I am using a quattro with a pressure of 21 over 17 BiPap. This is the one full face mask that worked for me. I did like the hybrid but wasn't able to get one that fit me.